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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To drink alcohol on antibiotics that say avoid alcohol?

118 replies

MummaRumma · 17/04/2014 16:29

I got some metronidazole antibiotics and it says avoid alcohol.
Does that mean even 1 solitary glass of wine is not allowed? What will happen to me?
If I'm not allowed, how on earth do I get through a family filled Easter weekend!?!?
I did not think this damned bv infection through

OP posts:
YouTheCat · 17/04/2014 16:32

You will be very very ill if you have any alcohol with those. And do not drink for 48 hours after finishing them either.

JuniperTisane · 17/04/2014 16:32

NHS advice I really really wouldn't. You will regret it.

DaleyBum · 17/04/2014 16:33

You'll really be ill. Not worth it for a glass of wine.

Bugsylugs · 17/04/2014 16:33

Absolutely you cannot have alcohol. Will make you feel unwell vomit etc.
You can however take 2 grams ie 5 times 400mg tablets as a single dose. Then probably ok to drink Saturday

ShakeYourTailFeathers · 17/04/2014 16:34

As far as i understand it you'll be as sick as a dog.

I once had a funny GA/booze reaction. Not pleasant.

ReluctantCamper · 17/04/2014 16:35

yup, don't do it. When I took that the doc told me not to even walk past a pub!

SauvignonBlanche · 17/04/2014 16:36

If it was any other antibiotic then I would, but not metronidazole, you will vomit for sure.

noddyholder · 17/04/2014 16:37

No better to be well!

Bunbaker · 17/04/2014 16:37

"If I'm not allowed, how on earth do I get through a family filled Easter weekend!?!?"

Please don't be silly, and of course you will get through the weekend without any alcohol.

PrincessTheresaofLiechtenstein · 17/04/2014 16:38

On the plus side, if you do drink with those, then you won't have to be able to see your family as you will be rather poorly

magichandles · 17/04/2014 16:39

You see, I was prescribed metronidazole and my gastroenterologist said it was fine to have a glass or two (of champagne - he's pretty posh) as I was going on a hen weekend.

It was only on the hen weekend that I was chatting to one of the girls who was a nurse who looked horrified and was half expecting me to be vomiting into my glass, but I was fine, no side effects at all.

Bluestocking · 17/04/2014 16:39

Surely if you're ill enough for ABs, you're ill enough to avoid any part of a family-filled weekend that will cause you any stress?Wink

PoundingTheStreets · 17/04/2014 16:39

A quick google just came up with:

Metronidazole is believed to have the ability to block the body's breakdown of alcohol, leading to an accumulation of a substance called acetaldehyde in the bloodstream.
Theoretically, this may occur within 10 minutes of ingestion of alcohol and may last several hours.
It is said to be characterised by intense flushing, breathlessness, headache, increased or irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting.
This possible reaction is dangerous because it is so unpredictable and may be extremely severe.
Although there has been little in the way of published pharmacological evidence to support this interaction with alcohol.

So you'd probably be absolutely fine just a little bit more drunk than normal, but you could end up very ill and die.

I wouldn't chance it personally just for the sake of a drink.

MaidOfStars · 17/04/2014 16:40

Nope, the one antibiotic group that you don't break the rules for.

NotMrsTumble · 17/04/2014 16:42

Specifically came onto thread to say don't do it if it's metro - & now see it is, & that others have beaten me to it.

Really, don't, not even a sip. I'm told its sometimes given to recovering alcoholics to help keep them "on the wagon" as even a sip will make you as sick as a dog.

Not worth it. If you think you won't enjoy Easter weekend without a glass of wine, you'll enjoy it even less puking up your chocolate eggs.

murasaki · 17/04/2014 16:44

My doc told me that it contains the same ingredient as antabuse, so vom ahoy. I took him at his word, and left a 24 hour gap afterwards too (would have been longer, but hey, it was XMas eve).

Didn't want to risk it as a mate of mine had practically vommed up their own insides after thinking they knew best. They didn't.

CheeryName · 17/04/2014 16:45

I've just reset my password and everything to get back on Mumsnet to say DON'T DO IT. It's what they put in Antabuse to help alcoholics.

My pharmacist was v explicit that you can't even use mouthwash (most types have alcohol in) when taking or within 48 hours of taking this.

Really really really don't do it. Have extra chocolate this weekend instead and store up your wine points for another time!

ChestyNut · 17/04/2014 17:09

Most definitely stay away from alcohol unless your your idea of a fun filled weekend is bonding with the toilet.

3littlefrogs · 17/04/2014 17:22

Seriously. Don't do it.
You will feel so ill you will want to lie down and die.

WitchWay · 17/04/2014 17:26

Metronidazole is the only antibiotic where you must avoid alcohol. It is related chemically to Antabuse (stops alcoholics drinking as they feel so shit). You will puke your guts up if you drink on it.

Bugsylugs · 17/04/2014 17:26

Do take the 2 grams as a single dose then you can have treatment and fun.
Look it up in big for treatment of bv

Willabywallaby · 17/04/2014 17:27

Another one saying please don't, it's the only one I know that you really can't.

trikken · 17/04/2014 17:29

I wouldn't risk it.

nikki1978 · 17/04/2014 17:30

It's pretty sad that you can't have one weekend without booze OP. Not worth the risk at all.

LeapingOverTheWall · 17/04/2014 17:31

Pharmacist warned me not even one mouthful of sherry trifle

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